Plan your visit to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Southeast Iceland with this ultimate guide. Discover essential details, including its location, how to get there, top activities, nearby accommodations, and more!
Nestled within Vatnajökull National Park, Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders.
Located approximately 236 miles (380 km) from Reykjavik—about a 5-hour drive—this breathtaking glacial lagoon is renowned for its floating icebergs, calved from Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull.
To get you started, here’s a 3-point overview of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
1. What to do at the Glacier Lagoon
Enjoy the beauty of nature: Relax and enjoy yourself in the beautiful surroundings, with majestic icebergs, birds, seals, and the breathtaking glacier backdrop.
Take a boat tour: Get up close to the icebergs and experience the lagoon's beauty from a new perspective.
Join an ice cave tour: Discover the Crystal Ice Cave in Vatnajökull Glacier. This thrilling adventure takes you through dazzling blue ice formations inside of the Glacier.
Go to Diamond Beach:Stroll along the nearby black sand beach where ice fragments from the lagoon are scattered like sparkling diamonds.
2. How to Get to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Do a self-drive tour: Drive along Iceland’s South Coast for a more personal experience. Enjoy the flexibility to stop at landmarks like Seljalandsfoss and Reynisfjara. Consider staying overnight nearby for a more leisurely visit.
Join a guided tour: A stress-free way to explore Jokulsarlon. Expert guides handle the logistics, allowing you to focus on the stunning scenery.
3. Quick Tips for a Memorable Visit
Stay overnight: To fully immerse yourself, consider accommodations near Jokulsarlon and explore the surrounding attractions.
Pack appropriately: Dress in warm, waterproof layers, and wear sturdy footwear to stay comfortable while exploring the lagoon and nearby attractions. Don’t forget essentials like gloves, a hat, and a camera to capture the stunning scenery.
This guide is your starting point for everything you need to know about Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Explore further to uncover detailed travel advice, local tips, and everything you need to make your visit extraordinary.
How Were the Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach Formed?
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon naturally formed from melted glacial water and continues to expand as icebergs break away from the shrinking glacier. This ever-changing landscape offers a striking visual reminder of global warming, with the glacier retreating noticeably year after year.
The lagoon and the nearby glacier tongue are especially unique as their appearance evolves, offering a new experience with each visit.
The icebergs that break away from the glacier and fall into the lagoon slowly melt and drift out to sea, where the North Atlantic waves polish them before being washed ashore on the jet-black beach called Breidamerkursandur.
As a result, this black stretch of sand is always covered in translucent, compact ice sculptures that glisten in the sun, much like diamonds. This is why Breidamerkursandur is sometimes called Diamond Beach.
Facts about the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
With a maximum depth of 932 feet (284 meters), Jokulsarlon is Iceland's deepest lake.
Jokulsarlon's surface area measures 11,2 square miles (18 square kilometers).
It takes approximately five hours to drive to Jokulsarlon from Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.
The icebergs in Jokulsarlon are composed of ice that is over 1,000 years old.
Jokulsarlon glacier first started forming in 1934, when the Breidamerkurjokull glacier started retreating, leaving the lagoon in its path.
This glacier lagoon in Iceland has gotten four times bigger since the early 1970s.
The lagoon connects with the ocean and is composed of seawater and freshwater. This is what creates the unique color.
Seals can be seen year-round in Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is located in Southeast Iceland, south of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. It lies within Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland’s largest national park and the second largest in Europe, after Yugid Va in Russia.
You can reach Jökulsárlón by driving a rental car or joining one of the many tours to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The lagoon is approximately 236 miles (380 km) from Reykjavik, which typically takes 5 to 6 hours by car, depending on road and weather conditions.
The drive to Jökulsárlón is incredibly scenic, with countless opportunities to stop and explore along the way. To make the most of your journey, consider spending at least two days traveling to and from the lagoon, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking sights en route.
There are several ways to reach Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, each offering a unique way to experience Iceland’s stunning landscapes. Whether you prefer the freedom of self-drive tours, the convenience of vacation packages, or the expertise of guided tours, there’s an option for every type of traveler. Let's explore the different ways you can get to the Glacier Lagoon.
1. Road Trip or Self-Drive Tour
Self-drive tours to the Glacier Lagoon vary depending on the season, offering distinct experiences in summer and winter. Summer self-drives offer flexibility to explore Iceland's lush landscapes and scenic routes, while winter self-drives focus on unique seasonal attractions like ice caves and northern lights. All self-drive tours include detailed itineraries on what to see along the way, where to go and how to get there.
Summer Self-Drive Tours
For travelers visiting during the warmer months, summer self-drive tours offer the perfect opportunity to explore Iceland at your own pace. These are the most road trips to the Glacier Lagoon:
10-Day Summer Self-Drive: An extensive journey covering Iceland’s South Coast, Golden Circle, and other top attractions, including Jökulsárlón.
One-Week Summer Self-Drive: A balanced itinerary for travelers with limited time, focusing on South Coast highlights and the Golden Circle.
Two-Week Summer Self-Drive: The ultimate Iceland adventure, taking you around the entire Ring Road and including iconic landmarks like Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach.
Winter Self-Drive Tours
For those visiting during the colder months, these itineraries include access to winter-specific attractions like ice caves and northern lights. The following tours are the most common winter road trips in Iceland:
One-Week Winter Self-Drive: Experience the beauty of Iceland’s South Coast, including Jökulsárlón, while chasing the northern lights.
7-Day Winter Self-Drive: A detailed exploration of Iceland’s winter landscapes, featuring visits to blue ice caves and other seasonal highlights.
6-Day Winter Self-Drive: A shorter itinerary ideal for winter travelers, focusing on Jökulsárlón and other South Coast gems.
Vacation packages in winter offer convenience by combining hotel stays, airport transfers in Reykjavik, day tours, and tickets like the Blue Lagoon, and multi-day guided tours to Jökulsárlón. They provide a complete vacation experience, perfect for those who prefer not to drive but still want to explore Iceland’s best attractions. These are the most popular winter vacation packages that visit the Glacier Lagoon:
5-Day Winter Package: A compact option that includes visits to Jökulsárlón, blue ice caves, and northern lights excursions.
6-Day Winter Package: A slightly longer itinerary offering a more comprehensive exploration of Iceland’s South Coast and Golden Circle.
7-Day Winter Package: The ultimate winter experience, combining South Coast highlights, ice cave adventures, and breathtaking northern lights tours.
3. Guided Multi-Day Tours
Multi-day guided tours are ideal for those who want a hassle-free experience with professional guides. Most tours are designed for winter, but summer options are also available:
Winter Multi-Day Tours
2-Day Winter Tour: Visit Jökulsárlón and a blue ice cave, with accommodation and transportation included for an unforgettable winter experience.
3-Day Winter Tour: Delve deeper into Iceland’s South Coast with visits to Jökulsárlón, ice caves, and prime spots for northern lights hunting.
6-Day Winter Tour: A comprehensive journey featuring the South Coast, Golden Circle, and blue ice caves, with plenty of opportunities to see the aurora borealis.
8-Day Winter Tour: The ultimate winter package, covering Iceland’s best winter attractions, including extended time at Jökulsárlón and other iconic locations.
Summer Multi-Day Tours
Guided summer tours provide a hassle-free way to explore Iceland's stunning landscapes with expert guides, transportation, and accommodations included.
2-Day Guided Summer Tour: Visit South Coast highlights like Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, and Jökulsárlón, with a glacier hike and lagoon boat ride.
6-Day Guided Summer Tour: Explore the South Coast and Golden Circle, including Jökulsárlón, waterfalls, volcanic sites, and coastal views, on a comprehensive 6 days and 5 nights.
One-Week Guided Ring Road Adventure: Embark on an unforgettable journey around Iceland’s Ring Road. This tour covers iconic locations like Jökulsárlón, the Golden Circle, Akureyri, and Mývatn, as well as waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes.
4. Day Tours
If you’re short on time or prefer a single-day adventure, guided day tours are a fantastic option:
South Coast Day Tour: Visit Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, and Jökulsárlón, all in one incredible day with a knowledgeable guide and comfortable transportation.
Additional Tips for Reaching Jökulsárlón
The roads along the South Coast are generally accessible year-round, but winter travelers should be prepared for potential weather delays.
Stay updated on weather and road conditions daily, especially in winter, to ensure your safety.
A big part of the Icelandic experience is the journey itself, so take time to enjoy the stunning scenery and make stops along the way.
Whether you explore on your own or join a tour, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is an unforgettable highlight of any Icelandic adventure.
Visitors can do many different things when visiting the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. What to do depends on how much time is available and what types of experiences are of interest.
Jokulsarlon Lagoon Boat Tours
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon boat tours operate in the summertime, between April and October. A boat tour in Jokulsarlon is a great way to experience the glacier lagoon up close. It allows you to see massive icebergs floating in the water, some of which are thousands of years old.
The tour also offers a closer look at the surrounding glaciers and the chance to spot wildlife, such as seals resting on the ice. It’s a unique and memorable way to explore this natural wonder.
During the warmer months, boat trips run on Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon with multiple departures per day. You can choose between going on an Amphibian boat tour, which has no minimum age requirements and is bigger in size, or a Jokulsarlon Zodiac boat tour, which resembles a speed boat, has a minimum age requirement of 10 years old and takes up to 12 passengers.
It is best to book the boat tours in Jokulsarlon in advance, especially if you are traveling in a group larger than 12 people or visiting during the peak months, from June to August.
To get even closer to nature, booking a Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon kayak tour is something you won’t forget. This tour happens in the summer months only and allows you to move between the floating pieces of ice and get up close and personal with the glacier.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Ice Cave Tours
From Jokulsarlon, it’s possible to join a Crystal Ice Cave tour and explore a stunning natural blue cave within the Vatnajokull glacier. These caves are formed as melting water flows beneath the glacier, carving intricate tunnels through the ice.
While each cave is unique in shape and structure, all feature the mesmerizing blue hues that make them extraordinary.
As the glacier moves, it creates different-looking ice caves each year, and there are multiple ice cave tours that you can take during your visit. No two visits are ever the same when exploring. Most ice caves are only accessible from mid-October to March yearly, although some operators do not start until November.
For this season, there are two main ice caves available from the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, which are the Western Ice Cave and the Eastern Ice Cave. You can visit this exclusive ice cave tour in the Vatnajokull glacier, and which cave you'll see is determined by the optimal weather and visibility conditions for the caves each day.
The Western Ice Cave is known for its incredible crystal blue ice. You'll walk between winding ice walls that lead you into a cave formation, creating excellent photograph opportunities. As part of the experience, you'll also get to ride over the glacier on a thrilling monster truck!
The Eastern Ice Cave is equally stunning and a true natural wonder. It's easier to access, and its sheer size is sure to leave an impression on anyone stepping inside the magnificent glacier. When the sun is shining through the thick ice walls, it fractures the lights, creating a great display.
Take in the Northern Lights
Jokulsarlon is also a popular place to try to catch the northern lights dancing in the skies above. The scenery creates a phenomenal foreground for photographers, often with the auroras reflected in the water and the ice.
On intense aurora shows, it can light up the entire lagoon with dancing colors, including green, pink, red, purple, and blue. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime aurora viewing opportunity.
The northern lights occur all year but are only visible when dark. Therefore, they can’t be seen when the nights are bright in the summertime.
You can view the aurora in Iceland from early September until mid-April, depending on the clear sky and how active the northern lights are.
Check out this 5-day winter package that includes the glacier lagoon, hunt for the northern lights, ice cave, and much more to help make your visit to Iceland genuinely spectacular.
It is a great idea to stay near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and fully soak in the beautiful scenery.
One of the closest accommodations is the beautiful Hotel Glacier Lagoon. It's located in the countryside and has a sauna and outdoor hot tubs from which you can see the surrounding mountains and glaciers, and if you are lucky, even the northern lights!
Another great accommodation to choose from is the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, a stylish, four-star hotel in the area. The hotel has all the amenities you could need, plus a waterfall right outside.
Hotels and hostels close to the lagoon tend to book up very early. So, if you aren't fortunate enough to get a room at one, the second most convenient option is to stay in the nearby town of Hofn, located about an hour's drive away from Jokulsarlon.
If you are planning on traveling the Ring Road or want to finish your day in a place with convenient services, the town of Hofn is an excellent choice. It's home to the best-tasting lobster in Iceland and close to the stunning Vestrahorn mountain.
Hofn also has various lodgings to suit different budgets and styles, such as Hotel Hofn, which is a lovely hotel for those who prioritize comfort.
If you're exploring Iceland and Jokulsarlon, which is just one of the many stops on your journey, you'll find plenty of accommodation options along the way. However, booking in advance is highly recommended to secure your stay.
Seals can be seen swimming in the lagoon and relaxing on top of icebergs. The lagoon also is filled with birdlife, especially during summer, when you see the Arctic tern and many other species.
Jokulsarlon is not a popular area for the famous puffins. But if you are driving from Reykjavik, you can stop by the lighthouse in Dyrholaey and Reynisfjara black sand beach on the way to see some puffins if you’re visiting in the summer months.
Remember that the drive along the South Coast to Jokulsarlon is breathtakingly beautiful. Take your time and enjoy the sights.
Jokulsarlon's icy landscapes have attracted many filmmakers to shoot scenes for their movies in Iceland. The James Bond films “Die Another Day” and “A View to a Kill” were filmed at the glacial lagoon. “Tomb Raider” was filmed there, too.
In recent years, Vatnajokull National Park was used as a filming location for “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” The scenes from this movie that were shot there show Walter supposedly trekking in the Himalayas.
Several commercials and music videos have also been shot at Jokulsarlon, such as Bon Iver's Holocene, Justin Bieber's I'll Show You, and the music video to Gerua from the Bollywood film Dilwale starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
There's one primary safety measure you should know when you go to this ice lagoon. It should go without saying that it's not wise to swim in a lake full of enormous icebergs or climb on top of those icebergs. But many people are tempted to do so.
People sometimes underestimate Icelandic nature and find themselves in dangerous situations, often needing the aid of some of Iceland's search and rescue teams.
So don't be tempted to do what many film characters or singers (such as James Bond, Shah Rukh Khan, or Justin Bieber) do and swim in the lake or climb on top of the icebergs.
Have a great time when you visit, but keep in mind that the current in the lagoon is powerful and can easily carry you out to sea. The lagoon is 656 feet (200 meters) deep and is Iceland's deepest lake. What you see of the massive icebergs floating in the lagoon are just their tips, as 90 percent of the ice is below the waterline.
Sometimes, icebergs tip over when the ice underneath the water's surface becomes smaller than what’s seen above the surface. This occurs due to the cracking or melting of ice.
If people climb to the top of the ice and then the ice tips over, they can get caught underneath the ice and be in a life-threatening situation. That's not worth a picture!
Take care and make the most of this stunning location by exploring responsibly and appreciating all that Iceland has to offer.
Whether you choose to drive yourself or join an exciting guided tour, a visit to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is a must during your time in Iceland. What activities are you most excited about? When do you plan to see the glacier lagoon? Let us know in the comments!
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